Delayed Gibson County votes save Bacon

Technical difficulties delayed the tallying of votes from Tuesday's elections in Gibson County, leaving the results of one race still undetermined.

Results for Indiana House of Representatives races in districts 75 and 76 were announced Wednesday after a malfunctioning paper ballot-reader caused a delay, according to the Gibson County Clerk's Office.

In House District 75, the addition of Gibson County votes put Republican Ron Bacon ahead of Democrat Mike Goebel, with all 47 precincts reporting a total of 7,978 votes for Bacon, compared to Goebel's 7,813.

In House District 76, Democrat Bob Deig leads Wendy McNamara by just eight votes with 9,321, with all 60 precincts reporting.

A winner has not yet been declared in the race for Gibson County treasurer.

Ballots in the race between Democrat Sandy Greubel and Republican Mary B. Key will be counted by hand, according to the county clerk's office.

An appointed committee will count the ballots in the jury room of the Gibson County Superior Court. As of Wednesday afternoon, the counting had not yet begun.

In this election, no other races in Gibson County have required a hand count, though an impoundment order was issued Wednesday morning for ballots in House District 76.

Ballots secured

Indiana State Police were dispatched to sites and secured the ballots, according to the Indiana Secretary of State's office.

The Gibson County Clerk's Office said a ballot recount is considered likely in the race between Democrat Cecil R. Allen Jr. and Republican Le Ann Smith for the District 2 county council seat where Smith beat Allen 1,335 to 1,306.

Republicans Tony Wolfe and Jeremy Overton won county council seats.

In other Gibson County elections, Democrat George Ballard was elected sheriff, and Republican Alan Douglas was elected county commissioner.

Steve Sevier, Ken Dupps and Doug Meiring won seats on the East Gibson School Board, while Steve Grus-zewski was elected to the South Gibson School Board.